Bill Norris went from college top player to 5 pro seasons
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Eckerd College coach John Mayotte talked up his third baseman Bill Norris to The Tampa Bay Times in February 1990, calling Norris "one of the top all-around players."
"You coach kids who can hit the long ball or field exceptionally well or who have strong arms," Mayotte told The Times, "but he's the total package."
Norris' work at Eckerd ended up being enough to get drafted that year and turn pro. His pro career lasted five seasons. He topped out at AA.
Norris' career began that year in 1990, taken by the Red Sox in the 25th round of the draft out of Eckerd College.
He started with the Red Sox in the rookie Gulf Coast League and at high-A Winter Haven. He saw 56 games between them and hit .250.
Norris moved to high-A Lynchburg for 1991. He went 4 for 5 in a July game.
"I've just been seeing the ball a lot better and I've been more comfortable at the plate," Norris told The Lynchburg News and Advance after that July contest of his success then.
Norris hit .252 in 134 games at Lynchburg. He then moved to AA New Britain for 1992. That July in 1992, Norris went 3 for 3 in a game. He commented afterward to The Hartford Courant on the comeback win, and his manager's ejection.
"That probably got some of the guys fired up," Norris told The Courant.
Norris hit .208 in 122 games for New Britain in 1992. He then returned there for 1993 and hit .259 in 119 games.
He then saw an abbreviated 1994, where he saw 25 games split between New Britain and Lynchburg to end his career.
- Tampa Bay Times, Feb. 3, 1990: Tritons step up to plate today
- Lynchburg News and Advance, July 2, 1991: L-Sox
- Hartford Courant, July 27, 1992: Sele's strong start finishes Britsox's sweep
Made the Majors:1,482-31.6%
Never Made Majors:3,208-68.4%-X